When car buyers think of luxury cars, American brands don’t usually spring to mind immediately. They think of German excellence and performance, or Italy’s dedication to speed and style. While the top American-made luxury vehicles may not benefit from as much hype, traditional brands like Cadillac and up-and-coming brands like Tesla deserve some credit, too. And it’s worth noting that other countries’ vehicular masterpieces are sometimes actually built in America.

Why is the luxury car race being won abroad? One theory is that car buyers in other countries are more likely to spend their money on high-end vehicles. Because European cities are so densely constructed and have such user-friendly public transport systems, many residents prefer not to buy cars because it’s more hassle than it’s worth. It’s a chore, not a joy. That means that European drivers buy cars not because they need them, but because they enjoy a luxurious ride.

America the Underdog

But America was built on equality and democracy, so it makes sense that our major automakers target the average buyer and emphasize mass manufacture. The spirit of the United States lends itself to mass-manufacturing cars for everyone, not expensive cars for the elite. With wider streets and more open stretches of land, Americans equate bigger with better. When we have a little more money, we often prefer to purchase trucks, SUVs, and minivans. We have longer distances to travel, often with more passengers.

As it stands, the luxury car market is dominated by brands in Japan, Korea, and Europe like Lexus, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and many more. But America loves an underdog, and the Detroit Three may challenge foreign brands with upcoming models, technology, and features. In the meantime, these top American-made luxury vehicles deserve the spotlight right now.

Tesla Model S

Elon Musk’s visionary brand has reinvigorated the American car market, and this all-electric car has an envious spot in the luxury vehicle category. It has a 518-horsepower output, which makes it feel like a race car. Its base price is around $80,000, and can near a 400-mile range before refueling. It comes powered by a 100-kilowatt-hours lithium-ion battery pack and two electric motors. In the cabin, the dash is dominated by technology boasts a 17-inch vertically-oriented touch screen. Inside, there’s plenty of room for passengers and cargo. In true American fashion, though, many car enthusiasts are most excited about Tesla’s Cybertruck, which is expected to have a base price of just $40,000.

Cadillac Escalade

Not too long ago, celebrities’ ride of choice was the intimidating Escalade, a not-so-subtle car for flexing power, success, and style. For their 2021 model, Cadillac promises the industry’s first curved OLED display, which has twice the pixel density of a 4K television. The new generation is larger and longer, for old-school dominance on the roads. Of course, that bulk keeps it from flying, too, although it has a good track record for outpacing the paparazzi. The base price is about $75,000, and the brand is hoping to entice you with a 36-speaker sound system, and a collaboration with singer/songwriter James Blake for a “first listen” experience for an “exclusive group of fans.” Who? James Blake may not be the hottest star of the moment, but Cadillac gets an A for effort.

Lincoln Navigator

Who’s that trying to muscle the Escalade off the roads? Archnemesis Navigator, a hulking contender with a No. 1 ranking from U.S. News and World Report in the large luxury SUV category. All three rows of seating are equally lavish, upholding its reputation as a Taj Mahal on wheels. The Navigator Black Label starts at $98,000 for status seekers, and Lincoln is hoping its recent redesign will lure younger buyers. Brand spokesman Matthew McConaughey straddles both demographics and adds a retro-hip vibe that fans are responding to. The Navigator’s special features include two LCD monitors in the front and one in the rear, voice-activated navigation, and massage seats.

Chevrolet Corvette

Car enthusiasts tend to get a little sentimental about this sporty classic. The base price is around $59,000, and many buyers consider it a fair price to drive a legend. Chevy is courting that crowd with more racing stripe options for the 2021 models, like full-length dual stripes in more colors. But it’s also thinking ahead with innovations like a new mid-engine layout, just like Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and McLarens. The Corvette is driver-experience focused, with a high-tech cabin maximized for comfort. Owners enjoy an 8-inch touch screen, smartphone integration, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 10-speaker Bose sound system. America’s supercar can hit 194 miles per hour, or reliably ferry you in style on your daily commute to the office. Available with a retractable hardtop, it’s a natural choice for a cross-country trip on Route 66.

Lexus ES

We can go ahead and claim at least one Lexus as an adopted son. The ES is ultimately assembled in Lexington Kentucky, so it’s an interesting hybrid that combines Japanese artistry with a bit of a twang. Base models are just $40,000, making it more accessible to the upwardly mobile. The midsized sedan is roomy, plush, smooth, and luxurious: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard now, as well as Siri Eyes Free and a Wi-Fi hotspot. You can set the mood with ambient lighting and 10 speakers for your playlists. For car buyers more interested in solid reliability than speed, the ES has earned an overall safety score of five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It seats five, so you can share the indulgence with loved ones.

If you’re getting ready to sell your luxury car , it makes sense to get a free quote from Nahas Motorcars, where we specialize in buying high-end vehicles. Most of the cars we buy are foreign, but we know a quality American-made car when we see it. Give us a call for a free quote, and if you’re interested, we can fly out to you, inspect the car, and make you an offer on the spot. With some of your cash liquidated, you can invest it in your next luxury or exotic car. Domestic? Foreign? You don’t have to choose—if you can afford it, collect them all.